This narrative study explores the leadership life stories of five women serving as community college presidents in Illinois. The purpose of this study is to explore women's experiences in leadership skill and identity development on the way to becoming community college presidents. Hearing the women share their leadership life stories directly offers an original perspective. The five women (aged 48 to 66) had been presidents from one and one-half to six years. Their leadership life stories were gained through two interviews, observations, and curriculum vitae. The similarities and themes from their stories can be used to address the imbalance between the percentage of women students and the percentage of women in the role of community college president through better informed hiring, leadership training, and laying the groundwork for more women to become academic leaders. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]